The Official Opening of Pholela Community Health Centre by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr N. C. Dlamini Zuma on 21 April 2001

Saturday, 21^st April 2001 saw the opening of a beautiful new Community Health Centre at Pholela near Bulwer.

The old Pholela clinic has played an important role in the development of Primary Health Care as practiced today.

 In 1938, Dr Sidney Kark was appointed to conduct a nutrition and health survey on African school children. The survey was conducted between September 1938 and September 1939 on 7000 children in 9 regions. 

Dr Sidney Kark was nominated to initiate the pioneer health unit at Pholela which would provide the following essential functions:

• Prevention and treatment of disease and
• Health education with particular reference to the organisation of maternal and child welfare services.

These services were rendered at the old Pholela clinic which regrettably has to be demolished due to the fact that the structure due to it’s age has resulted in it being a risk to the occupants. The spirit of the old clinic and those who served in it will continue to live on in the new Pholela Community Health Centre. Steps will be taken to develop a suitable museum as part of the entrance to house memorabilia from the old clinic in remembrance of the historic value rendered by this pioneering service. 

A number of photos are provided to share this joyous occasion with all. Of special note is the fact that in addition to the presence of the Honourable National Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr N. C. Dlamini Zuma and Dr Z. L. Mkhize, MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, the opening was also attended by a host of dignitaries, including Mrs Audrey Bennie (now 86 years of age), who was a community health worker at Pholela clinic in 1940 at the time of the arrival of Dr Sidney Kark and his wife, Dr Emily Kark.

 This Centre would not have been possible without the generous funding from the European Union, which was represented by Mr. Ian Ralph. The Department wishes to express it’s deepest gratitude for this donation.

 It is believed that the Pholela Community Health Centre will continue to provide an efficient and caring primary health service to the community it serves.